MIAMI SOFTBALL

Jarvis throws one-hit gem as MU claims tourney crown

Blaska, Bartholomew hit homers; combine for 5 RBIs

By MIKE SMITH
AKRON, OH -- No. 6 seed Ball State was threatening to break open a scoreless MAC Championship Tournament game in the third inning Saturday when  two things intervened. First, Miami starter Addy Jarvis (18-1) ended the threat by striking out Cardinal outfielder Maddie Weaver. Second, bad weather forced a weather delay. When play resumed, the RedHawks offense exploded for four runs.

After adding three more in the fourth, MU made its 2024 tourney title official with a solo homer in the seventh to seal an 8-0 run-rule victory at Firestone Stadium. 

With the verdict, Miami won its 12th straight game, raised its season record to 48-7 and secured a spot in the upcoming NCAA tournament. Ball State slipped to 29-29.

Addy Jarvis picked up the . . . 

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ADDY JARVIS (MVSmith/MRO file)

. . . win for Miami, ultimately surrendering just one hit while walking five and hitting one batter. She struck out three, with none bigger than Weaver's third inning out. 

Jarvis got two quick outs in the third but then issued two walks and hit a batter. With the bases loaded in a scoreless game, she struck out Weaver on four pitches.

After the weather delay, Kate Kobayashi led off the Miami third with a double to center field. Karli Spaid followed with a single to left. That scored the runner and Spaid went to second on a throw home. Jenna Golembiewski's single to center made it a 2-0 game.

Ball State got one out on a fielder's choice, but a walk to Allie Cummins and bloop single by Sami Bewick to short left loaded the sacks. 

When BSU starter Birdie Murphy walked Chloe Parks to force in a third run, the Cardinals brought in Francy King. She gave up an RBI sacrifice fly to Reagan Bartholomew to center, with Cummins scoring on the play. 

That made it 4-0, and King ended the rally by striking out Hadley Parisien. However, the RedHawks came back for more in the in the fourth inning. Once again, Kobayashi got things started -- this time with an 11-pitch walk. Spaid hit into a fielders choice before Golembiewski singled up the middle. Holly Blaska brought both in when she stroked an opposite field home run to left. 

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HOLLY BLASKA (5), KIRIN KUMAR (MVSmith/MRO file)

The RedHawks still led 7-0 when they came to bat in the fifth. Parks flied out to start the frame, but Bartholomew followed with a walk-off homer to right center. 
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NOTES: 
-- Ball State's only hit on the day was a first inning double by McKayla Timmons. The Ball State catcher was a First Team All-MAC selection and one of the league's top hitters. Just before doubling, she hit a "foul homer" that was well out of the ballpark. She hit two homers in the last regular season contest between MU and BSU. 
-- Blaska recorded three RBIs in the game.
-- Golembiewski went 2-for-2.
-- One of the reasons MU leads the nation in home runs is the RedHawks' ability to adjust at the plate. Miami belted five home runs over its three MAC Softball Tournament contests. Four of the five were opposite field hits -- two by Spaid. Sami Bewick's homer against Ohio was the only "pull" shot.
-- Spaid, Bartholomew, Reeves and Bewick were named to the MAC All-Tournament team. Spaid was tabbed Most Valuable Player of the tourney. 

2024 Mid-American Conference Softball All-Tournament Team
McKayla Timmons, Ball State
Jazmyne Armendariz, Ball State
McKenna Mulholland, Ball State
Allyssa Hollo, Central Michigan
Karli Spaid, Miami
Sami Bewick, Miami
Reagan Bartholomew, Miami
Madilyn Reeves, Miami
Izzie Wilson, Ohio
Eli Enriquez, Toledo

Tourney MVP - Karli Spaid